A remodeled kitchen can increase your home’s value. James Judge, a local designer and realtor, shares six tips for transforming your kitchen on a budget. These tips and tricks are from a recent design to sell in Mesa and you will be shocked to find out how much the entire remodel cost!
“The home had lots of potential but needed some updates to bring it top dollar,” said Judge. “It had the original oak kitchen cabinets and details from the builder in the late 1990s or early 2000s. The owners painted the cabinets green, but it was still lacking appeal. This is a great example of how you can update a track home kitchen without spending a fortune.”
Pro Tips:
1. Paint: We painted the cabinets a two-tone with white on top and “Chinchilla” by Behr Paint on the bottom to give them a modern look. The white on top helps lightens up the space and make it appear larger and the dark bottom grounds the space.
2. Hardware: We updated all the cabinet hardware to black for contrast. A pro tip is pick hardware that uses the existing holes or covers up the existing holes. My rule is buy the same finish, but different types. I use one type on drawers and another on doors. For instance, we went with horizontal handles on the drawers and knobs on the doors.
3. Backsplash: Installed a new tile backsplash to freshen up the space and make it visually appealing.
4. Countertops: We used a prefabricated quartz countertop to save money. It is a great way to achieve the look of stone for less money. The countertops make the kitchen more current and improves the sight lines!
5. Appliances: The dishwasher and refrigerator were already stainless steel, so we updated the stove and hood to match. We moved the microwave to the countertop and installed a hood because it adds more dimension to the room.
6. Lighting: Lighting is another way to make a big impact without spending a lot. We installed a new pedant light for the breakfast nook for less than $100 to make the space more modern and up to date.
Overall, this kitchen remodel was $3,380 (labors and material) with the new quartz countertops being nearly half of the budget. It sold for over asking price with multiple offers in just three days!
James Judge has been transforming homes in Arizona for more than a decade. Follow along with James as he shares DIY tips, design-on-a-dime methods and overall inspiration for home-renovation goals at @thehousejudge. To work with James on an upcoming project, visit MrJamesJudge.com.
